Joint Japan/ World Bank Graduate Scholarships Program

In 1987, the World Bank, with funding from the Government of Japan, established the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (WBGSP) for graduate studies in subjects related to economic development.

This program, now known as the Regular Joint Japan/ World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), is in its 13th year. The program awards scholarships to individuals from World Bank member countries to undertake graduate studies at universities renowned for their development research and teaching. In its Regular Program, the JJ/WBGSP has awarded scholarships to 1,636 scholars chosen from a total of nearly 32,000 applicants.

The Government of Japan provides the funds to cover the costs of the scholarships and program management. The World Bank Institute (WBI) of the World Bank maintains a Secretariat to handle the program’s daily administration. Since 1991, under the umbrella of the JJ/WBGSP, a number of Partnership Programs were launched, largely to respond to the need for graduate study programs which combine academic rigor with specialized training in the practical aspects of policy making. The objective of these programs is to prepare the participants for effective policy making roles in their home countries and regions.

Since 1987, the regular and partnership programs combined have provided scholarship awards to 2,136 individuals, helping to create an international community of highly trained professionals working in the field of economic and social development. The World Bank expects the scholars to return to their home countries on completion of their study programs and apply their enhanced knowledge and skills to accelerate the pace of economic and social development.

The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat initiated discussions with partner universities about cost-sharing arrangements. The goal is to reduce tuition expenses and, hence, increase the number of JJ/WBGSP scholarships. Host universities, by entering into such arrangements, recognize and appreciate the contribution of the government of Japan to the JJ/WBGSP. The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat contacted the Australian National University (ANU), which is now in consultation with the Australian Aid Agency (AUSAID) to enter into cost-sharing arrangements.

Cost-sharing arrangements are already in effect with Cambridge University, London School of Economics, IHE in the Netherlands, CERDI in France. Universities in the United States, such as Harvard, Princeton, Williams College, and Brandeis, are also sharing costs with the JJ/WBGSP.

Scholarship Eligibility

To apply for a scholarship under all JJ/WBGSP programs, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements. The following sub-sections describe these requirements, clarify the costs covered by the scholarships, and explain the application procedures.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To apply for any JJ/WBGSP scholarship, applicants must meet the following specific criteria:

- Be a national of a World Bank member-country;
- Be under 45 years of age, and preferably under the age of 40;
- Be in good health;
- Be of good character;
- Hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a development-related field, and have attained the degree with superior grades;
- Have a least two (yet preferably four to five) years of full-time professional experience in a field related to economic development, in the applicant’s home country or in another developing country, and usually in public service.

Individuals applying for the regular JJ/WBGSP scholarship must also meet the following criteria:

- Submit documentation showing that they have applied for graduate study or its equivalent in at least two universities located in any World Bank member-country; and,
- Propose a program of study related to development. Usually, this will be in field such as economics, business, management, environment, urban/rural planning, or a related area. The Program has also made awards in such development-related fields as health, education, population, agriculture, engineering, information systems and aquatic resources provided that the focus of study is on public policy aspects of these fields.

Other Selection Criteria

The programs give priority to:
- Countries that are currently eligible to borrow from the World Bank;
- Women;
- Applicants with few other resources and from lower income groups; and
- Applicants who have no opportunities for graduate study outside their home country.

In addition, the selection process in all JJ/WBGSP programs seeks to maintain a geographical balance among regions of the world, and World Bank member countries.

The Program does not support:
- Applicants who already hold a degree from an industrialized country;
- Applicants who are residing, working, or studying for a graduate degree in an industrialized country;
- Holders of green card, and those who are nationals of an industrialized country;
- Applicants for MBA which is not related to the development process; and Ph.D applicants.

Address all inquiries and completed applications to:

The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20433, USA
Fax: (202) 522-4036

Website : http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/scholarships/